Musical device



Dec. 13, 1966 1. GLASS ETAL MUSICAL DEVICE Filed March 5, 1965 [22 \/E.2: far 5 MlleV/A 6AA $5 60200 A EARLOW 5019f 01V 6. MEVEF N M. .u

United States Patent 3,290,979 MUSICAL DEVICE Marvin I. Glass, Gordon A.Barlow, and Burton C. Meyer, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Marvin Glass &Associates, Chicago, 11]., a partnership Filed Mar. 3, 1965, Ser. No.436,839 Claims. (Cl. 84-104) The present invention relates generally toa musical device and is particularly directed to a novel and amusingcombination of sound producing components to provide a one-man bandarrangement.

Toy musical devices have long been a favorite with children andparticularly those toy instruments or devices which require very littletalent or concentrated effort to play. The present invention isparticularly concerned with providing a combination of toy musicalinstruments, which are readily and easily playable with virtually noskill involved and which provide a one-man band type of device that isoperated by one person. A further object of the invention is to providesuch a combination of musical instruments, which has incorporatedtherewith means for selectively varying the tempo of a plurality ofpercussion instruments in the combination. Still another object of theinvention is to provide a combination of musical sound producing devicesincluding a plurality of percussion instruments, wherein one or more ofthe percussion instruments can be locked out of the operation asdesired. It is also an object of this invention to provide a musicaldevice as described above which can be easily supported on a fiatsurface, as desired. Other objects and advantages will become apparentfrom the following description of the embodiment of this invention asillustrated in the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the musical device;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view; and

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the operatingmechanism for the device, with parts broken away.

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen thatthe selected embodiment of the invention comprises a musical device 8including a novel arrangement of a plurality of sound making devicessupported on a frame structure 10 which is generally in the form ofsimulated plumbing fixtures, such as pipes, joints, elbows, etc. Thedevice includes a plurality of percussion instruments or tempo producingdevices, including a pancake turner 12 in position to strike against afrying pan 14, a spoon 16 in position to strike against a tin can 18, atooth brush 20 in position to rub against a simulated washboard 22, anda hammer 24 in position to strike against a pan lid 26. A crank 28provides the means for sounding each of the percussion instrumentsautomatically as a main drive shaft 30 is rotated, and the percussioninstruments can be locked out of operation as desired by movement oflevers adjacent opposite ends of the rotatable shaft. In addition, thereis provided a plurality of wind instruments or sound making deviceswhich can be selectively operated by blowing through any one of the windinstruments. The latter include a double whistle 32 having a singlemouth piece 34 and adapted to simultaneously produce two differenttones, a kazoo 36 including a mouth piece 38, a conventional horn 40 ofthe reed type, and a ball whistle 42. Consequently, the tempo isprovided by rotating the crank 28 to sound the percussion instruments,andthe melody is provided by the operation of the kazoo, withintermittent sounding of the whistles and the horn, as desired.

More particularly, the supporting frame structure 10 for the musicaldevice is of plastic or other suitable material and includes a pluralityof simulated pipes 44 joined together by elbows 46, couplings etc. toprovide a gen- 3,290,979 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 erally rectangular openframe work. The lower portion of the frame includes a pair of laterallyextending leg portions or brackets 48 to provide stability forsupporting the device on a generally flat surface. In addition, meansfor carrying the instrument is provided by a strap 50 connected to theupper end of the frame by a pair of brackets 52 and adapted to be placedaround the neck of the person playing the device. A second strap 54 atthe lower end of the frame, having opposite ends extending into slots 56in the base member 58 is adapted to be placed around the waist of theplayer and adjustably fixed in position by means of a series of holes 60in one end of the strap and a rivet or stud 62 projecting upwardly fromthe base frame member. A pair of intermediate transverse lbrace members64, 66, in position to provide support for certain of the percussioninstruments, completes the frame structure.

The simulated frying pan 14, which may be all metal, plastic or othersuitable material, is mounted on the lower end of the frame by meansincluding a pin 68 and yoke support 70 at one end and a fastener 72 onthe other end. The simulated pancake turner 12 is rotatably mounted onthe frame member 64 by means of a sleeve 74 at the free end of thehandle portion engaging a cylindrical boss or shaft 76 formed on thetransverse frame member. A coil spring 78 is fixed in position betweenthe frying pan handle and the pancake turner handle, so as to bias thelatter into a position of engagement with the frying pan. The free endof the handle includes a vertically extending arm 80 in position forengagement by a cam 82 on the rotatable shaft which is disposed within abox 84. As seen particularly in FIGURE 3, the arm-engaging portion ofthe cam 82 is of a predetermined configuration, so that as the shaft 30is rotated the arm 80 is moved downwardly to raise the pancake turner 12which is then suddenly dropped as a drop-off portion 86 of the cam movespast the arm. Consequently, for each rotation of the handle 28 through360 degrees there is provided one heat of the pancake turner 12 againstthe frying pan 14.

Also enclosed within the box 84 on the right of the musical device is acam 90 for effecting operation of the spoon 16. This cam includes threedrop-off portions 92 about its peripheral cam surface which ispositioned for engagement with a depending arm 94 on a lever 96, so asto raise the lever and then permit it to fall three times during asingle revolution of the shaft. The lever 96 is biased into a downwardposition affording engagement with the cam 90 by suitable means, such asa spring 98 disposed between the lever and an interior wall 84:: of thebox or enclosure. The lever 96 is pivotally mounted on the box 84 at oneend by means including a stub shaft 100, and the opposite end of thelever is connected with an intermediate portion of the spoon by means ofa rod or wire 102. The spoon 16 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 104 atthe upper end of the frame, with the bowl portion 106 in position forengagement with the top of the can 18. The end of the handle of thespoon 16 has loosely mounted thereon a concave metal piece 108simulating a cymbal, so that operation of the spoon provides a sound asthe bowl 106 strikes the can 18 and also a sound resulting from movementof the cymbal 108 relative to its support.

The tooth brush and washboard instrument 20, 22 is also automaticallyoperated through rotation of the shaft 30 by means including a third cam110 on the shaft, a cam lever 112 pivotally mounted at its forward endon a wall of the box enclosing the cam, as previously described withrespect to lever 96, and a rod or wire 114 which is pivotallyinterconnected between the lever and one end of the tooth brush 20. Anintermediate portion of the tooth brush handle is pivotally fixed on abracket 116 carried by the frame, and the bristle portion of the brushis positioned for wiping or brushing engagement with the corrugatedportion of the washboard. The operating cam 110 for the tooth brushincludes a single drop-off section 118 and an upwardly extending bracketor arm 120 on the lever is in position for engagement by the cam toeffect raising and lowering of the lever 112 and, consequently, an upand down movement of the brush 20 across the washboard 22. A springelement 122 on the end of the lever 112 is positioned with respect tothe cam enclosure or box 124, so as to urge the lever upwardly to placethe arm 120 in engagementwith the cam 110. Consequently, for each 360degree rotation of the handle 28 and shaft 30 there results a motion ofthe tooth brush 20 across the washboard 22.

The hammer and lid device at the left of the instrument is similarlyoperated by means of a cam 130 on the shaft 30 engaging a lever 132which is operably connected with the hammer 24. The cam 130 isessentially identical with the cam 90 for operating the spoon, but inthis instance the cam operated lever 132 is disposed beneath the cam130. More particularly,'the lever 132 is pivoted at its forward end onthe box 124 and biased to a raised position by means of a spring 134disposed between the lever and the box. The free end of the lever ispivotally connected with a projecting arm 136 on the hammer by means ofa rod or wire 138. The hammer is rotatably mounted on the frame by meansof a sleeve or journal portion 140 engaging a cylindrical boss or shafton the frame. Consequently, :as the lever 132 is operated throughmovement of the cam 130 the hammer 24 is drawn away from the lid 26 apredetermined distance and then released to strike against the lid asthe lever portion 142 hits a drop-off point 144 on the cam. The lid 26is a relatively large concave member of metal and is supported on theframe at its center by means including a bracket 146 extending inwardlyfrom the frame structure. I

It will be noted particularly in FIGURE 2 that each of the levers 96,112, 132 have a handle portion projecting outwardly of their boxenclosures through a stepped slotted opening. The pivotal mounting forthe levers within the box' provides for some lateral movement of thelevers, so that the levers can be moved into and out of 7 position ofengagement with their respective cams. Thus,

each lever can be placed in the 011" or off positions indicated inFIGURE 2 to render the associated instrument operative or inoperative,respectively, in response to turning of the rotatable shaft. Further,since the earns 82, 110 provide a single beat per revolution and theremaining cams 90, 130 provide three beats per revolution, there isafforded means for varying the tempo of the instruments as well as thesound effect produced. For example, in the illustrated embodiment thepancake turner 12 always strikes against the frying pan 14 once for eachrotation of the shaft 30 and thereby provides a basic beat or tempo.With the spoon 16 operating there is provided the additional sounds ofthe spoon striking the can 18 and of the cymbal 108, and such sounds areproduced three times for each rotation of the shaft. With the toothbrush 20 in operation there is provided still another sound which occursonce during each revolution of the shaft 30. The sound of the hammer 24striking the lid 26 can be added to the sound of the frying pan, or tothe sound of the frying pan and spoon, or to the sound of the frying panand brush, or to the sound of the frying pan, spoon and brush to therebygive further variations in the overall sound effect and in the tempo ofsuch sounds.

As indicated previously, the melody is provided by the player by hummingthrough a generally conventional kazoo 36 which is pivotally supportedon the free end of an arm 150, which in turn is adjustably positionablerelative to a supporting bracket 152 by suitable means, such as thefacing toothed or ribbed surface of cylindrical members. 154 and 156which are spring biased into engagement with each other. Attached-toopposite sides of the kazoo are the double tone whistle, and the hornand ball whistle.

Consequently, it is seen that there is provided a combination of musicalinstruments and/or sound making devices which are integral with a singleframe structure for easy portability, wherein the tempo 'is producedautomatically by rotation of the crank, and the tempo and sounds areselectively variable through a wide range of choices by means of thelock-out levers so as to provide an amusing one-man band arrangement.Although shown and described with respect to particular structure, itwill be apparent that various modifications might be made withoutdeparting from the principles of this invention.

What We claim is:

1. A musical device comprising a supporting frame structure adapted tobe carried and supported by the body of the person operating saiddevice, a plurality of percussion instruments mounted on said supportingframe, each of said percussion instruments including a sounding meansmovably mounted on said frame, actuating means mounted on said frame andoperable to actuate said instrument sounding mean-s in a predeterminedsequence, and means for selectively locking out one or more of saidinstruments from operation by said actuating means.

2. A musical device comprising a supporting frame structure adapted tobe carried and supported by the body of the person operating saiddevice, a plurality of percussion instruments mounted on said supportingframe and each including a striking means movably mounted on said frame,actuating means mounted on said frame and operable to actuate saidinstrument striking means in a predetermined sequence, and means forselectively looking out one or more of said striking means to therebyvary the tempo of the sounds produced.

3 A musical device comprising a supporting frame structure adapted to becarried and supported by the body of the person operating said device, aplurality of percussion instruments mounted on said supporting frame,each of said percussion instruments including a sound producing deviceand a striking element movably mounted on said frame in position forengagement with the sound producing device, actuating means mounted onsaid frame and operable to actuate said striking elements in apredetermined sequence, and means for selectively locking out one ormore of said striking elements from operation by said actuating means tothereby vary the tempo of the sounds produced as said actuating means isoperated.

4. A musical device comprising a supporting frame structure, a pluralityof percussion instruments mounted on said supporting frame, each of saidinstruments including a striking means movably mounted on said frame inposition for engagement with the sound producing .portion of theinstrument, operating mechanism for said striking means comprising arotatable shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a plurality of cam meansfixed on said shaft for rotation therewith, each cam means being inposition for operation of one of said striking means,

manually operable means for selectively rendering each of said cam meansinoperative, whereby all of said percussion instruments can be soundedin a predetermined sequence upon rotation of said shaft, and wherebyless than all of said percussion instruments can be sounded to therebyselectively vary the tempo of the sounds produced.

5. A musical device comprising a supporting frame structure adapted tobe supported by the body of a person, a plurality of percussioninstruments mounted on said supporting frame and each including a soundproducing portion and a striker element, each of said striker elementsbeing movably mounted on said frame in position for engagement with thesound producing portion of one of said instruments, operating mechanismfor said percussion instruments can be sounded in a predeterminedsequence upon rotation of said crank when said levers are in theiroperative position, and whereby less than all of said percussioninstruments can be sounded to thereby selectively vary the tempo of thesounds produced by locking out one or more of said levers.

No references cited.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

1. A MUSICAL DEVICE COMPRISING A SUPPORTING FRAME STRUCTURE ADAPTED TOBE CARRIED AND SUPPORTED BY THE BODY OF THE PERSON OPERATING SAIDDEVICE, A PLURALITY OF PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTINGFRAME, EACH OF SAID PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING A SOUNDING MEANSMOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, ACTUATING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME ANDOPERABLE TO ACTUATE SAID INSTRUMENT SOUNDING MEANS IN A PREDETERMINEDSEQUENCE, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY LOCKING OUT ONE OR MORE OF SAIDINSTRUMENTS FROM OPERATION BY SAID ACTUATING MEANS.